Taking Charge

We are creatures of Habit. These are either inherent or inculcated. Inherent is part genetics, part family(environment). As we grow we take in a lot from our surroundings. Our habits are a part of ourselves and our society. We live by them as our standards, they become our lifestyles. These habits or lifestyles can be categorized into those that can be modified and those that cannot be modified.

Genetics, age, gender, cultural affinity, history of trauma(both mental and physical) belong to the unmodifiable category and they all have a role to play in the chronic pain scenario. We now are aware of how genetics and the history of trauma work. Age and gender affect our pain developing and coping mechanisms as well. Along with age comes maturity, coping mechanisms, and adaptability which leads to ignoring symptoms. The journey of pain can start right at childhood and continue into adulthood. Usually, we think of them as a secondary benefiting attitude and it may as well be true, but it could be a way of diversion and escapism from some other issue. The other extreme of the age bar is another spectrum that copes with chronic pain. These comprise of elderly with chronic backache, muscle pains, knee, and other joint pains. They may also consist of people suffering from other illnesses that could be a causative factor. Gender by itself has a small role to play in terms of body prototype. We have dealt with the body fat and muscular components affecting pain. Gender by and large is affected by how society looks at it. This at times curbs the expression of pain and keeps brewing inside till it becomes unbearable. Mental coping mechanisms also come into the picture. Hampering the expression of pain by itself has deleterious effects. Changing these factors is not possible, but that does not mean we don't have other options.

There are of course things that are in our control. Modifiable factors. The inculcated habit, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Literature connecting smoking to chronic pain is scarce but the same is not true about alcohol. Interestingly, it may not be so much as the causative factor but it turns out to be a very common coping mechanism. In some circumstances, it acts as a triggering factor and in others, it becomes a habit in an attempt to alleviate pain. Knowing that this is a pattern may help us curb this habit or sometimes an irresistible urge. There are occupational and employment issues that also could lead to a toxic consequence of chronic pain. Burden at the workplace and not being able to perform to one's best ability can become tiresome. Long working hours, wrong sitting and standing postures, monotony, bad eating habits, and the list goes on. So, are all modifiable factors negative. Chronic pain disrupts positive habits like having a good exercise routine, doing enjoyable activities, getting undisturbed sleep. These habits also decrease the incidence of getting affected by it. It is a tedious and vicious cycle. How much do we need to change? More importantly, what can we change. We need to get a hold of our lives, mix it up a little bit and do what is right so that we can lead a happy and pain-free life.